Stay on target

The NCAA sponsor again partnered with Dominic Chamrone, a.k.a. The Shoe Surgeon, for a second-generation sneaker that does more than order pizza.

Available in red and “wheat” (reminiscent of actual pizza hues), the special-edition high-tops also link to the wearer’s cable box to pause live TV.

Once wirelessly synced with the Pie Tops mobile app, tap the Hut icon on the shoe’s tongue to make a pizza purchase. Then, when the food arrives (or you need a bathroom break), press the other boot for a brief intermission.

“The Pie Tops II were created to showcase our focus on giving customers the best delivery experience while making sure that tournament fans can feed their pizza craving without missing a moment of the action,” Zipporah Allen, Pizza Hut chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

“It’s called March madness for a reason,” she continued. “We don’t want anyone to miss a play while answering the door to get their pizza.”

That’s not the only new tech in stock: Pizza Hut and Chamrone included features like “extreme marinara splash,” “cheese-grater mesh,” branded lace tags and inner soles, and extra “cheese pull” laces.

A limited supply of the special-edition high-top sneakers are going on sale later this month; 50 pairs will be available from HBX starting March 19. There is no word on pricing, but you can bet they’ll cost more than a stuffed-crust pie.

Each pair comes with a special offer for this year’s tournament: two-topping medium pizzas for $5.99 each when you order two or more.

“Pizza Hut continues to bring us unique ideas to heighten the excitement that surrounds NCAA championships. We are thrilled with Pie Tops II making its return to March Madness,” according to Ellen Lucey, NCAA director of championships and alliances, corporate relations, marketing, and branding.

“This is a time to get behind your favorite team and pull for NCAA student-athletes,” she said. “We’re pleased that Pizza Hut is helping our fans enjoy more of the tournament journey as we head toward the Final Four.”

In addition to Pie Tops II, the pizzeria recently launched voice command ordering, the first tracker that includes text messaging, and the Hut Rewards loyalty program that awards points for every dollar spent on food online.